ScarcelyhadIutteredthesewords，whenmyattentionwasstartledbythesoundoffootsteps。Theydenotedsomeonesteppingintothepiazzainfrontofmyhouse。Mynew-bornconfidencewasextinguishedinamoment。Carwin，Ithought，hadrepentedhisdeparture，andwashastilyreturning。Thepossibilitythathisreturnwaspromptedbyintentionsconsistentwithmysafety，foundnoplaceinmymind。Imagesofviolationandmurderassailedmeanew，andtheterrorswhichsucceededalmostincapacitatedmefromtakinganymeasuresformydefence。ItwasanimpulseofwhichIwasscarcelyconscious，thatmademefastenthelockanddrawtheboltsofmychamberdoor。Havingdonethis，Ithrewmyselfonaseat；forItrembledtoadegreewhichdisabledmefromstanding，andmysoulwassoperfectlyabsorbedintheactoflistening，thatalmostthevitalmotionswerestopped。
Thedoorbelowcreakedonitshinges。Itwasnotagainthrustto，butappearedtoremainopen。Footstepsentered，traversedtheentry，andbegantomountthestairs。HowI
detestedthefollyofnotpursuingthemanwhenhewithdrew，andboltingafterhimtheouterdoor!Mighthenotconceivethisomissiontobeaproofthatmyangelhaddesertedme，andbetherebyfortifiedinguilt？
Everysteponthestairs，whichbroughthimnearertomychamber，addedvigortomydesperation。TheevilwithwhichI
wasmenacedwastobeatanyrateeluded。HowlittledidI
preconceivetheconductwhich，inanexigencelikethis，I
shouldbepronetoadopt。Youwillsupposethatdeliberationanddespairwouldhavesuggestedthesamecourseofaction，andthatIshouldhave，unhesitatingly，resortedtothebestmeansofpersonaldefencewithinmypower。Apenknifelayopenuponmytable。Irememberedthatitwasthere，andseizedit。Forwhatpurposeyouwillscarcelyinquire。ItwillbeimmediatelysupposedthatImeantitformylastrefuge，andthatifallothermeansshouldfail，Ishouldplungeitintotheheartofmyravisher。
Ihavelostallfaithinthestedfastnessofhumanresolves。
ItwasthusthatinperiodsofcalmIhaddeterminedtoact。Nocowardicehadbeenheldbymeingreaterabhorrencethanthatwhichpromptedaninjuredfemaletodestroy，notherinjurereretheinjurywasperpetrated，butherselfwhenitwaswithoutremedy。Yetnowthispenknifeappearedtomeofnootherusethantobafflemyassailant，andpreventthecrimebydestroyingmyself。Todeliberateatsuchatimewasimpossible；butamongthetumultuoussuggestionsofthemoment，Idonotrecollectthatitonceoccurredtometouseitasaninstrumentofdirectdefence。
Thestepshadnowreachedthesecondfloor。Everyfootfallacceleratedthecompletion，withoutaugmenting，thecertaintyofevil。Theconsciousnessthatthedoorwasfast，nowthatnothingbutthatwasinterposedbetweenmeanddanger，wasasourceofsomeconsolation。Icastmyeyetowardsthewindow。
This，likewise，wasanewsuggestion。Ifthedoorshouldgiveway，itwasmysuddenresolutiontothrowmyselffromthewindow。Itsheightfromtheground，whichwascoveredbeneathbyabrickpavement，wouldinsuremydestruction；butIthoughtnotofthat。
Whenoppositetomydoorthefootstepsceased。Washelisteningwhethermyfearswereallayed，andmycautionwereasleep？Didhehopetotakemebysurprize？Yet，ifso，whydidheallowsomanynoisysignalstobetrayhisapproach？
Presentlythestepswereagainheardtoapproachthedoor。Anhandwaslaiduponthelock，andthelatchpulledback。DidheimagineitpossiblethatIshouldfailtosecurethedoor？A
slighteffortwasmadetopushitopen，asifallboltsbeingwithdrawn，aslighteffortonlywasrequired。
Inosoonerperceivedthis，thanImovedswiftlytowardsthewindow。Carwin'sframemightbesaidtobeallmuscle。Hisstrengthandactivityhadappeared，invariousinstances，tobeprodigious。Aslightexertionofhisforcewoulddemolishthedoor。Wouldnotthatexertionbemade？Toosurelyitwould；
but，atthesamemomentthatthisobstacleshouldyield，andheshouldentertheapartment，mydeterminationwasformedtoleapfromthewindow。Mysenseswerestillboundtothisobject。I
gazedatthedoorinmomentaryexpectationthattheassaultwouldbemade。Thepausecontinued。Thepersonwithoutwasirresoluteandmotionless。
Suddenly，itoccurredtomethatCarwinmightconceivemetohavefled。ThatIhadnotbetakenmyselftoflightwas，indeed，theleastprobableofallconclusions。Inthispersuasionhemusthavebeenconfirmedonfindingthelowerdoorunfastened，andthechamberdoorlocked。Wasitnotwisetofosterthispersuasion？ShouldImaintaindeepsilence，this，inadditiontoothercircumstances，mightencouragethebelief，andhewouldoncemoredepart。Everynewreflectionaddedplausibilitytothisreasoning。Itwaspresentlymorestronglyenforced，whenInoticedfootstepswithdrawingfromthedoor。Thebloodoncemoreflowedbacktomyheart，andadawnofexultationbegantorise:butmyjoywasshortlived。Insteadofdescendingthestairs，hepassedtothedooroftheoppositechamber，openedit，andhavingentered，shutitafterhimwithaviolencethatshookthehouse。
HowwasItointerpretthiscircumstance？Forwhatendcouldhehaveenteredthischamber？Didtheviolencewithwhichheclosedthedoortestifythedepthofhisvexation？ThisroomwasusuallyoccupiedbyPleyel。WasCarwinawareofhisabsenceonthisnight？Couldhebesuspectedofadesignsosordidaspillage？Ifthiswerehisviewtherewerenomeansinmypowertofrustrateit。Itbehovedmetoseizethefirstopportunitytoescape；butifmyescapeweresupposedbymyenemytohavebeenalreadyeffected，noasylumwasmoresecurethanthepresent。Howcouldmypassagefromthehousebeaccomplishedwithoutnoisesthatmightincitehimtopursueme？
UtterlyatalosstoaccountforhisgoingintoPleyel'schamber，Iwaitedininstantexpectationofhearinghimcomeforth。All，however，wasprofoundlystill。Ilistenedinvainforaconsiderableperiod，tocatchthesoundofthedoorwhenitshouldagainbeopened。Therewasnootheravenuebywhichhecouldescape，butadoorwhichledintothegirl'schamber。
Wouldanyevilfromthisquarterbefallthegirl？
Hencearoseanewtrainofapprehensions。Theymerelyaddedtotheturbulenceandagonyofmyreflections。Whateverevilimpendedoverher，Ihadnopowertoavertit。Seclusionandsilenceweretheonlymeansofsavingmyselffromtheperilsofthisfatalnight。WhatsolemnvowsdidIputup，thatifI
shouldoncemorebeholdthelightofday，Iwouldnevertrustmyselfagainwithinthethresholdofthisdwelling!
Minutelingeredafterminute，butnotokenwasgiventhatCarwinhadreturnedtothepassage。What，Iagainasked，coulddetainhiminthisroom？Wasitpossiblethathehadreturned，andglided，unperceived，away？Iwasspeedilyawareofthedifficultythatattendedanenterprizelikethis；andyet，asifbythatmeansIwerecapableofgaininganyinformationonthathead，Icastanxiouslooksfromthewindow。
Theobjectthatfirstattractedmyattentionwasanhumanfigurestandingontheedgeofthebank。Perhapsmypenetrationwasassistedbymyhopes。Bethatasitwill，thefigureofCarwinwasclearlydistinguishable。Fromtheobscurityofmystation，itwasimpossiblethatIshouldbediscernedbyhim，andyethescarcelysufferedmetocatchaglimpseofhim。Heturnedandwentdownthesteep，which，inthispart，wasnotdifficulttobescaled。
Myconjecturethenhadbeenright。Carwinhassoftlyopenedthedoor，descendedthestairs，andissuedforth。ThatIshouldnothaveoverheardhissteps，wasonlylessincrediblethanthatmyeyeshaddeceivedme。Butwhatwasnowtobedone？Thehousewasatlengthdeliveredfromthisdetestedinmate。Byoneavenuemightheagainre-enter。Wasitnotwisetobarthelowerdoor？Perhapshehadgoneoutbythekitchendoor。Forthisend，hemusthavepassedthroughJudith'schamber。Theseentrancesbeingclosedandbolted，asgreatsecuritywasgainedaswascompatiblewithmylonelycondition。
Theproprietyofthesemeasureswastoomanifestnottomakemestrugglesuccessfullywithmyfears。YetIopenedmyowndoorwiththeutmostcaution，anddescendedasifIwereafraidthatCarwinhadbeenstillimmuredinPleyel'schamber。Theouterdoorwasa-jar。Ishut，withtremblingeagerness，anddreweveryboltthatappendedtoit。Ithenpassedwithlightandlesscautiousstepsthroughtheparlour，butwassurprizedtodiscoverthatthekitchendoorwassecure。IwascompelledtoacquiesceinthefirstconjecturethatCarwinhadescapedthroughtheentry。
Myheartwasnowsomewhateasedoftheloadofapprehension。
Ireturnedoncemoretomychamber，thedoorofwhichIwascarefultolock。Itwasnotimetothinkofrepose。Themoon-lightbeganalreadytofadebeforethelightoftheday。
Theapproachofmorningwasbetokenedbytheusualsignals。I
musedupontheeventsofthisnight，anddeterminedtotakeupmyabodehenceforthatmybrother's。WhetherIshouldinformhimofwhathadhappenedwasaquestionwhichseemedtodemandsomeconsideration。MysafetyunquestionablyrequiredthatI
shouldabandonmypresenthabitation。
Asmythoughtsbegantoflowwithfewerimpediments，theimageofPleyel，andthedubiousnessofhiscondition，againrecurredtome。Iagainranoverthepossiblecausesofhisabsenceontheprecedingday。Mymindwasattunedtomelancholy。Idwelt，withanobstinacyforwhichIcouldnotaccount，ontheideaofhisdeath。Ipaintedtomyselfhisstruggleswiththebillows，andhislastappearance。Iimaginedmyselfamidnightwandererontheshore，andtohavestumbledonhiscorpse，whichthetidehadcastup。Thesedrearyimagesaffectedmeeventotears。Iendeavourednottorestrainthem。
TheyimpartedareliefwhichIhadnotanticipated。Themorecopiouslytheyflowed，themoredidmygeneralsensationsappeartosubsideintocalm，andacertainrestlessnessgivewaytorepose。
Perhaps，relievedbythiseffusion，theslumbersomuchwantedmighthavestolenonmysenses，hadtherebeennonewcauseofalarm。
ChapterXI
Iwasarousedfromthisstuporbysoundsthatevidentlyaroseinthenextchamber。WasitpossiblethatIhadbeenmistakeninthefigurewhichIhadseenonthebank？orhadCarwin，bysomeinscrutablemeans，penetratedoncemoreintothischamber？
Theoppositedooropened；footstepscameforth，andtheperson，advancingtomine，knocked。
Sounexpectedanincidentrobbedmeofallpresenceofmind，and，startingup，Iinvoluntarilyexclaimed，"Whoisthere？"Ananswerwasimmediatelygiven。Thevoice，tomyinexpressibleastonishment，wasPleyel's。
"ItisI。Haveyourisen？Ifyouhavenot，makehaste；I
wantthreeminutesconversationwithyouintheparlour——Iwillwaitforyouthere。"Sayingthisheretiredfromthedoor。
ShouldIconfideinthetestimonyofmyears？Ifthatweretrue，itwasPleyelthathadbeenhithertoimmuredintheoppositechamber:hewhommyruefulfancyhaddepictedinsomanyruinousandghastlyshapes:hewhosefootstepshadbeenlistenedtowithsuchinquietude!Whatisman，thatknowledgeissosparinglyconferreduponhim!thathisheartshouldbewrungwithdistress，andhisframebeexanimatedwithfear，thoughhissafetybeencompassedwithimpregnablewalls!Whataretheboundsofhumanimbecility!Hethatwarnedmeofthepresenceofmyfoerefusedtheintimationbywhichsomanyrackingfearswouldhavebeenprecluded。
YetwhowouldhaveimaginedthearrivalofPleyelatsuchanhour？Histonewasdespondingandanxious。Whythisunseasonablesummons？andwhythishastydeparture？Sometidingshe，perhaps，bearsofmysteriousandunwelcomeimport。
Myimpatiencewouldnotallowmetoconsumemuchtimeindeliberation:Ihasteneddown。PleyelIfoundstandingatawindow，witheyescastdownasinmeditation，andarmsfoldedonhisbreast。Everylineinhiscountenancewaspregnantwithsorrow。Tothiswasaddedacertainwannessandairoffatigue。
ThelasttimeIhadseenhimappearanceshadbeenthereverseofthese。Iwasstartledatthechange。Thefirstimpulsewastoquestionhimastothecause。Thisimpulsewassupplantedbysomedegreeofconfusion，flowingfromaconsciousnessthatlovehadtoolarge，and，asitmightprove，aperceptibleshareincreatingthisimpulse。Iwassilent。
Presentlyheraisedhiseyesandfixedthemuponme。Ireadinthemananguishaltogetherineffable。NeverhadIwitnessedalikedemeanourinPleyel。Never，indeed，hadIobservedanhumancountenanceinwhichgriefwasmorelegiblyinscribed。Heseemedstrugglingforutterance；buthisstrugglesbeingfruitless，heshookhisheadandturnedawayfromme。
Myimpatiencewouldnotallowmetobelongersilent:
"What，"saidI，"forheaven'ssake，myfriend，whatisthematter？"
Hestartedatthesoundofmyvoice。Hislooks，foramoment，becameconvulsedwithanemotionverydifferentfromgrief。Hisaccentswerebrokenwithrage。
"Thematter——Owretch!——thusexquisitelyfashioned——onwhomnatureseemedtohaveexhaustedallhergraces；withcharmssoawfulandsopure!howartthoufallen!Fromwhatheightfallen!Aruinsocomplete——sounheardof!"
Hiswordswereagainchoakedbyemotion。Griefandpitywereagainmingledinhisfeatures。Heresumed，inatonehalfsuffocatedbysobs:
"ButwhyshouldIupbraidthee？CouldIrestoretotheewhatthouhastlost；effacethiscursedstain；snatchtheefromthejawsofthisfiend；Iwoulddoit。Yetwhatwillavailmyefforts？Ihavenotarmswithwhichtocontendwithsoconsummate，sofrightfuladepravity。
"Evidencelessthanthiswouldonlyhaveexcitedresentmentandscorn。Thewretchwhoshouldhavebreathedasuspicioninjurioustothyhonor，wouldhavebeenregardedwithoutanger；
nothatredorenvycouldhavepromptedhim；itwouldmerelybeanargumentofmadness。Thatmyeyes，thatmyears，shouldbearwitnesstothyfall!Bynootherwaycoulddetestibleconvictionbeimparted。
"WhydoIsummontheetothisconference？Whyexposemyselftothyderision？Hereadmonitionandentreatyarevain。Thouknowesthimalready，foramurdererandthief。Ihadthoughttohavebeenthefirsttodisclosetotheehisinfamy；tohavewarnedtheeofthepittowhichthouarthastening；butthyeyesareopeninvain。Ofoulandinsupportabledisgrace!
"Thereisbutonepath。Iknowyouwilldisappeartogether。
Inthyruin，howwillthefelicityandhonorofmultitudesbeinvolved!Butitmustcome。Thissceneshallnotbeblottedbyhispresence。Nodoubtthouwiltshortlyseethydetestedparamour。Thisscenewillbeagainpollutedbyamidnightassignation。Informhimofhisdanger；tellhimthathiscrimesareknown；lethimflyfarandinstantlyfromthisspot，ifhedesirestoavoidthefatewhichmenacedhiminIreland。
"Andwiltthounotstaybehind？——Butshameuponmyweakness。
IknownotwhatIwouldsay——IhavedonewhatIpurposed。Tostaylonger，toexpostulate，tobeseech，toenumeratetheconsequencesofthyact——whatendcanitservebuttoblazonthyinfamyandembitterourwoes？Andyet，Othink，thinkereitbetoolate，onthedistresseswhichthyflightwillentailuponus；onthebase，grovelling，andatrociouscharacterofthewretchtowhomthouhastsoldthyhonor。Butwhatisthis？Isnotthyeffronteryimpenetrable，andthyheartthoroughlycankered？Omostspecious，andmostprofligateofwomen!"
Sayingthis，herushedoutofthehouse。Isawhiminafewmomentshurryingalongthepathwhichledtomybrother's。I
hadnopowertopreventhisgoing，ortorecall，ortofollowhim。TheaccentsIhadheardwerecalculatedtoconfoundandbewilder。Ilookedaroundmetoassuremyselfthatthescenewasreal。ImovedthatImightbanishthedoubtthatIwasawake。SuchenormousimputationsfromthemouthofPleyel!Tobestigmatizedwiththenamesofwantonandprofligate!Tobechargedwiththesacrificeofhonor!withmidnightmeetingswithawretchknowntobeamurdererandthief!withanintentiontoflyinhiscompany!
WhatIhadheardwassurelythedictateofphrenzy，oritwasbuiltuponsomefatal，someincomprehensiblemistake。Afterthehorrorsofthenight；afterundergoingperilssoimminentfromthisman，tobesummonedtoaninterviewlikethis；tofindPleyelfraughtwithabeliefthat，insteadofhavingchosendeathasarefugefromtheviolenceofthisman，Ihadhuggedhisbasenesstomyheart，hadsacrificedforhimmypurity，myspotlessname，myfriendships，andmyfortune!thatevenmadnesscouldengenderaccusationslikethesewasnottobebelieved。
Whatevidencecouldpossiblysuggestconceptionssowild？
Aftertheunlooked-forinterviewwithCarwininmychamber，heretired。CouldPleyelhaveobservedhisexit？ItwasnotlongafterthatPleyelhimselfentered。Didhebuildonthisincident，hisodiousconclusions？Couldthelongseriesofmyactionsandsentimentsgrantmenoexemptionfromsuspicionssofoul？WasitnotmorerationaltoinferthatCarwin'sdesignshadbeenillicit；thatmylifehadbeenendangeredbythefuryofonewhom，bysomemeans，hehaddiscoveredtobeanassassinandrobber；thatmyhonorhadbeenassailed，notbyblandishments，butbyviolence？
Hehasjudgedmewithouthearing。Hehasdrawnfromdubiousappearances，conclusionsthemostimprobableandunjust。Hehasloadedmewithalloutrageousepithets。Hehasrankedmewithprostitutesandthieves。Icannotpardonthee，Pleyel，forthisinjustice。Thyunderstandingmustbehurt。Ifitbenot，ifthyconductwassoberanddeliberate，Icanneverforgiveanoutragesounmanly，andsogross。
Thesethoughtsgraduallygaveplacetoothers。Pleyelwaspossessedbysomemomentaryphrenzy:appearanceshadledhimintopalpableerrors。Whencecouldhissagacityhavecontractedthisblindness？Wasitnotlove？PreviouslyassuredofmyaffectionforCarwin，distractedwithgriefandjealousy，andimpelledhitheratthatlatehourbysomeunknowninstigation，hisimaginationtransformedshadowsintomonsters，andplungedhimintothesedeplorableerrors。
Thisideawasnotunattendedwithconsolation。Mysoulwasdividedbetweenindignationathisinjustice，anddelightonaccountofthesourcefromwhichIconceivedittospring。Foralongtimetheywouldallowadmissiontonootherthoughts。
Surprizeisanemotionthatenfeebles，notinvigorates。Allmymeditationswereaccompaniedwithwonder。Irambledwithvagueness，orclungtooneimagewithanobstinacywhichsufficientlytestifiedthemaddeninginfluenceoflatetransactions。
GraduallyIproceededtoreflectupontheconsequencesofPleyel'smistake，andonthemeasuresIshouldtaketoguardmyselfagainstfutureinjuryfromCarwin。ShouldIsufferthismistaketobedetectedbytime？Whenhispassionshouldsubside，wouldhenotperceivetheflagrancyofhisinjustice，andhastentoatoneforit？Diditnotbecomemycharactertotestifyresentmentforlanguageandtreatmentsoopprobrious？
Wraptupintheconsciousnessofinnocence，andconfidingintheinfluenceoftimeandreflectiontoconfutesogroundlessacharge，itwasmyprovincetobepassiveandsilent。
AstotheviolencesmeditatedbyCarwin，andthemeansofeludingthem，thepathtobetakenbymewasobvious。I
resolvedtotellthetaletomybrother，andregulatemyselfbyhisadvice。Forthisend，whenthemorningwassomewhatadvanced，Itookthewaytohishouse。Mysisterwasengagedinhercustomaryoccupations。AssoonasIappeared，sheremarkedachangeinmylooks。IwasnotwillingtoalarmherbytheinformationwhichIhadtocommunicate。Herhealthwasinthatconditionwhichrenderedadisastroustaleparticularlyunsuitable。Iforboreadirectanswertoherinquiries，andinquired，inmyturn，forWieland。
"Why，"saidshe，"Isuspectsomethingmysteriousandunpleasanthashappenedthismorning。ScarcelyhadwerisenwhenPleyeldroppedamongus。WhatcouldhavepromptedhimtomakeussoearlyandsounseasonableavisitIcannottell。Tojudgefromthedisorderofhisdress，andhiscountenance，somethingofanextraordinarynaturehasoccurred。Hepermittedmemerelytoknowthathehadsleptnone，norevenundressed，duringthepastnight。Hetookyourbrothertowalkwithhim。
Sometopicmusthavedeeplyengagedthem，forWielanddidnotreturntillthebreakfasthourwaspassed，andreturnedalone。
Hisdisturbancewasexcessive；buthewouldnotlistentomyimportunities，ortellmewhathadhappened。Igatheredfromhintswhichheletfall，thatyoursituationwas，insomeway，thecause:yetheassuredmethatyouwereatyourownhouse，alive，ingoodhealth，andinperfectsafety。Hescarcelyateamorsel，andimmediatelyafterbreakfastwentoutagain。Hewouldnotinformmewhitherhewasgoing，butmentionedthatheprobablymightnotreturnbeforenight。"
Iwasequallyastonishedandalarmedbythisinformation。
Pleyelhadtoldhistaletomybrother，andhad，byaplausibleandexaggeratedpicture，instilledintohimunfavorablethoughtsofme。YetwouldnotthemorecorrectjudgmentofWielandperceiveandexposethefallacyofhisconclusions？PerhapshisuneasinessmightarisefromsomeinsightintothecharacterofCarwin，andfromapprehensionsformysafety。TheappearancesbywhichPleyelhadbeenmisled，mightinducehimlikewisetobelievethatIentertainedanindiscreet，thoughnotdishonorableaffectionforCarwin。Suchweretheconjecturesrapidlyformed。Iwasinexpressiblyanxioustochangethemintocertainty。Forthisendaninterviewwithmybrotherwasdesirable。Hewasgone，nooneknewwhither，andwasnotexpectedspeedilytoreturn。Ihadnocluebywhichtotracehisfootsteps。
Myanxietiescouldnotbeconcealedfrommysister。Theyheightenedhersolicitudetobeacquaintedwiththecause。
Thereweremanyreasonspersuadingmetosilence:atleast，tillIhadseenmybrother，itwouldbeanactofinexcusabletemeritytounfoldwhathadlatelypassed。Nootherexpedientforeludingherimportunitiesoccurredtome，butthatofreturningtomyownhouse。Irecollectedmydeterminationtobecomeatenantofthisroof。Imentionedittoher。Shejoyfullyaccededtothisproposal，andsufferedme，withlessreluctance，todepart，whenItoldherthatitwaswithaviewtocollectandsendtomynewdwellingwhatarticleswouldbeimmediatelyusefultome。
OncemoreIreturnedtothehousewhichhadbeenthesceneofsomuchturbulenceanddanger。IwasatnogreatdistancefromitwhenIobservedmybrothercomingout。Onseeingmehestopped，andafterascertaining，asitseemed，whichwayIwasgoing，hereturnedintothehousebeforeme。Isincerelyrejoicedatthisevent，andIhastenedtosetthings，ifpossible，ontheirrightfooting。
HisbrowwasbynomeansexpressiveofthosevehementemotionswithwhichPleyelhadbeenagitated。Idrewafavorableomenfromthiscircumstance。WithoutdelayIbegantheconversation。
"Ihavebeentolookforyou，"saidI，"butwastoldbyCatharinethatPleyelhadengagedyouonsomeimportantanddisagreeableaffair。Beforehisinterviewwithyouhespentafewminuteswithme。TheseminutesheemployedinupbraidingmeforcrimesandintentionswithwhichIambynomeanschargeable。Ibelievehimtohavetakenuphisopinionsonveryinsufficientgrounds。Hisbehaviourwasinthehighestdegreeprecipitateandunjust，and，untilIreceivesomeatonement，I
shalltreathim，inmyturn，withthatcontemptwhichhejustlymerits:meanwhileIamfearfulthathehasprejudicedmybrotheragainstme。ThatisanevilwhichImostanxiouslydeprecate，andwhichIshallindeedexertmyselftoremove。Hashemademethesubjectofthismorning'sconversation？"
Mybrother'scountenancetestifiednosurprizeatmyaddress。
Thebenignityofhislookswerenowisediminished。
"Itistrue，"saidhe，"yourconductwasthesubjectofourdiscourse。Iamyourfriend，aswellasyourbrother。ThereisnohumanbeingwhomIlovewithmoretenderness，andwhosewelfareisnearermyheart。JudgethenwithwhatemotionsI
listenedtoPleyel'sstory。Iexpectanddesireyoutovindicateyourselffromaspersionssofoul，ifvindicationbepossible。"
Thetonewithwhichheutteredthelastwordsaffectedmedeeply。"Ifvindicationbepossible!"repeatedI。"Fromwhatyouknow，doyoudeemaformalvindicationnecessary？Canyouharbourforamomentthebeliefofmyguilt？"
Heshookhisheadwithanairofacuteanguish。"Ihavestruggled，"saidhe，"todismissthatbelief。Youspeakbeforeajudgewhowillprofitbyanypretencetoacquityou:whoisreadytoquestionhisownsenseswhentheypleadagainstyou。"
Thesewordsincitedanewsetofthoughtsinmymind。I
begantosuspectthatPleyelhadbuilthisaccusationsonsomefoundationunknowntome。"Imaybeastrangertothegroundsofyourbelief。Pleyelloadedmewithindecentandvirulentinvectives，buthewithheldfrommethefactsthatgeneratedhissuspicions。Eventstookplacelastnightofwhichsomeofthecircumstanceswereofanambiguousnature。Iconceivedthatthesemightpossiblyhavefallenunderhiscognizance，andthat，viewedthroughthemistsofprejudiceandpassion，theysuppliedapretenceforhisconduct，butbelievedthatyourmoreunbiassedjudgmentwouldestimatethemattheirjustvalue。
PerhapshistalehasbeendifferentfromwhatIsuspectittobe。Listenthentomynarrative。Iftherebeanythinginhisstoryinconsistentwithmine，hisstoryisfalse。"
Ithenproceededtoacircumstantialrelationoftheincidentsofthelastnight。Wielandlistenedwithdeepattention。Havingfinished，"This，"continuedI，"isthetruth；
youseeinwhatcircumstancesaninterviewtookplacebetweenCarwinandme。Heremainedforhoursinmycloset，andforsomeminutesinmychamber。Hedepartedwithouthasteorinterruption。IfPleyelmarkedhimasheleftthehouse，anditisnotimpossiblethathedid，inferencesinjurioustomycharactermightsuggestthemselvestohim。Inadmittingthem，hegaveproofsoflessdiscernmentandlesscandorthanIonceascribedtohim。"
"Hisproofs，"saidWieland，afteraconsiderablepause，"aredifferent。Thatheshouldbedeceived，isnotpossible。Thathehimselfisnotthedeceiver，couldnotbebelieved，ifhistestimonywerenotinconsistentwithyours；butthedoubtswhichIentertainedarenowremoved。Yourtale，somepartsofit，ismarvellous；thevoicewhichexclaimedagainstyourrashnessinapproachingthecloset，yourpersistingnotwithstandingthatprohibition，yourbeliefthatIwastheruffian，andyoursubsequentconduct，arebelievedbyme，becauseIhaveknownyoufromchildhood，becauseathousandinstanceshaveattestedyourveracity，andbecausenothinglessthanmyownhearingandvisionwouldconvinceme，inoppositiontoherownassertions，thatmysisterhadfallenintowickednesslikethis。"
Ithrewmyarmsaroundhim，andbathedhischeekwithmytears。"That，"saidI，"isspokenlikemybrother。Butwhataretheproofs？"
Hereplied——"Pleyelinformedmethat，ingoingtoyourhouse，hisattentionwasattractedbytwovoices。Thepersonsspeakingsatbeneaththebankoutofsight。Thesepersons，judgingbytheirvoices，wereCarwinandyou。Iwillnotrepeatthedialogue。Ifmysisterwasthefemale，Pleyelwasjustifiedinconcludingyoutobe，indeed，oneofthemostprofligateofwomen。Hence，hisaccusationsofyou，andhiseffortstoobtainmyconcurrencetoaplanbywhichaneternalseparationshouldbebroughtaboutbetweenmysisterandthisman。"
ImadeWielandrepeatthisrecital。Here，indeed，wasataletofillmewithterribleforeboding。Ihadvainlythoughtthatmysafetycouldbesufficientlysecuredbydoorsandbars，butthisisafoefromwhosegraspnopowerofdivinitycansaveme!
Hisartificeswilleverlaymyfameandhappinessathismercy。
HowshallIcounterworkhisplots，ordetecthiscoadjutor？Hehastaughtsomevileandabandonedfemaletomimicmyvoice。
Pleyel'searswerethewitnessesofmydishonor。Thisisthemidnightassignationtowhichhealluded。Thusisthesilencehemaintainedwhenattemptingtoopenthedoorofmychamber，accountedfor。Hesupposedmeabsent，andmeant，perhaps，hadmyapartmentbeenaccessible，toleaveinitsomeaccusingmemorial。
Pleyelwasnolongerequallyculpable。Thesincerityofhisanguish，thedepthofhisdespair，Irememberedwithsometendenciestogratitude。Yetwashenotprecipitate？Wastheconjecturethatmypartwasplayedbysomemimicsoutterlyuntenable？Instancesofthisfacultyarecommon。ThewickednessofCarwinmust，inhisopinion，havebeenadequatetosuchcontrivances，andyetthesuppositionofmyguiltwasadoptedinpreferencetothat。
Buthowwasthiserrortobeunveiled？WhatbutmyownassertionhadItothrowinthebalanceagainstit？Wouldthisbepermittedtooutweighthetestimonyofhissenses？Ihadnowitnessestoprovemyexistenceinanotherplace。Therealeventsofthatnightaremarvellous。Few，towhomtheyshouldberelated，wouldscrupletodiscreditthem。Pleyelisscepticalinatranscendantdegree。IcannotsummonCarwintomybar，andmakehimtheattestorofmyinnocence，andtheaccuserofhimself。
Mybrothersawandcomprehendedmydistress。Hewasunacquainted，however，withthefullextentofit。HeknewnotbyhowmanymotivesIwasincitedtoretrievethegoodopinionofPleyel。Heendeavoredtoconsoleme。Somenewevent，hesaid，wouldoccurtodisentanglethemaze。Hedidnotquestiontheinfluenceofmyeloquence，ifIthoughtpropertoexertit。
WhynotseekaninterviewwithPleyel，andexactfromhimaminuterelation，inwhichsomethingmaybemetwithservingtodestroytheprobabilityofthewhole？
Icaught，witheagerness，atthishope；butmyalacritywasdampedbynewreflections。ShouldI，perfectinthisrespect，andunblemishedasIwas，thrustmyself，uncalled，intohispresence，andmakemyfelicitydependuponhisarbitraryverdict？
"Ifyouchusetoseekaninterview，"continuedWieland，"youmustmakehaste，forPleyelinformedmeofhisintentiontosetoutthiseveningorto-morrowonalongjourney。"
Nointelligencewaslessexpectedorlesswelcomethanthis。
Ihadthrownmyselfinawindowseat；butnow，startingonmyfeet，Iexclaimed，"Goodheavens!whatisityousay？ajourney？whither？when？"
"Icannotsaywhither。ItisasuddenresolutionIbelieve。
Ididnothearofittillthismorning。Hepromisestowritetomeassoonasheissettled。"
Ineedednofurtherinformationastothecauseandissueofthisjourney。Theschemeofhappinesstowhichhehaddevotedhisthoughtswasblastedbythediscoveryoflastnight。Mypreferenceofanother，andmyunworthinesstobeanylongertheobjectofhisadoration，wereevincedbythesameactandinthesamemoment。Thethoughtofutterdesertion，adesertionoriginatinginsuchacause，wasthepreludetodistraction。
ThatPleyelshouldabandonmeforever，becauseIwasblindtohisexcellence，becauseIcovetedpollution，andweddedinfamy，when，onthecontrary，myheartwastheshrineofallpurity，andbeatonlyforhissake，wasadestinywhich，aslongasmylifewasinmyownhands，Iwouldbynomeansconsenttoendure。
Irememberedthatthisevilwasstillpreventable；thatthisfataljourneyitwasstillinmypowertoprocrastinate，or，perhaps，tooccasionittobelaidaside。Therewerenoimpedimentstoavisit:Ionlydreadedlesttheinterviewshouldbetoolongdelayed。Mybrotherbefriendedmyimpatience，andreadilyconsentedtofurnishmewithachaiseandservanttoattendme。MypurposewastogoimmediatelytoPleyel'sfarm，wherehisengagementsusuallydetainedhimduringtheday。
ChapterXII
Mywaylaythroughthecity。IhadscarcelyentereditwhenIwasseizedwithageneralsensationofsickness。Everyobjectgrewdimandswambeforemysight。ItwaswithdifficultyI
preventedmyselffromsinkingtothebottomofthecarriage。I
orderedmyselftobecarriedtoMrs。Baynton's，inhopethatanintervalofreposewouldinvigorateandrefreshme。Mydistractedthoughtswouldallowmebutlittlerest。Growingsomewhatbetterintheafternoon，Iresumedmyjourney。
Mycontemplationswerelimitedtoafewobjects。Iregardedmysuccess，inthepurposewhichIhadinview，asconsiderablydoubtful。Idepended，insomedegree，onthesuggestionsofthemoment，andonthematerialswhichPleyelhimselfshouldfurnishme。WhenIreflectedonthenatureoftheaccusation，Iburnedwithdisdain。Wouldnottruth，andtheconsciousnessofinnocence，rendermetriumphant？ShouldInotcastfromme，withirresistibleforce，suchatrociousimputations？
Whatanentireandmournfulchangehasbeeneffectedinafewhours!Thegulfthatseparatesmanfrominsectsisnotwiderthanthatwhichseversthepollutedfromthechasteamongwomen。
Yesterdayandto-dayIamthesame。Thereisadegreeofdepravitytowhichitisimpossibleformetosink；yet，intheapprehensionofanother，myancientandintimateassociate，theperpetualwitnessofmyactions，andpartakerofmythoughts，I
hadceasedtobethesame。Myintegritywastarnishedandwitheredinhiseyes。Iwasthecolleagueofamurderer，andtheparamourofathief!
Hisopinionwasnotdestituteofevidence:yetwhatproofscouldreasonablyavailtoestablishanopinionlikethis？Ifthesentimentscorrespondednotwiththevoicethatwasheard，theevidencewasdeficient；butthiswantofcorrespondencewouldhavebeensupposedbymeifIhadbeentheauditorandPleyelthecriminal。Butmimicrymightstillmoreplausiblyhavebeenemployedtoexplainthescene。Alas!itisthefateofClaraWielandtofallintothehandsofaprecipitateandinexorablejudge。